Open AccessPhototherapy in Scleroderma
Author(s) -
John Hassani,
Steven R. Feldman
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
dermatology and therapy
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 2193-8210
pISSN - 2190-9172
DOI - 10.1007/s13555-016-0136-3
Subject(s) - scleroderma (fungus) , medicine , dermatology , treatment modality , placebo , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine , inoculation
Systemic and localized scleroderma are difficult to manage diseases with no accepted gold standard of therapy to date. Phototherapeutic modalities for scleroderma show promise. A PubMed search of information on phototherapy for scleroderma was conducted. The information was classified into effects on pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. Studies on photopheresis were excluded. There were no randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, and only three controlled studies. The vast majority of identified studies evaluated ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) phototherapy. More rigorous studies are needed to evaluate phototherapy in the treatment of scleroderma. Based on the limited studies available, 20-50 J/cm 2 of UVA1 therapy 3-4 times a week for 30 treatments is recommended.